System and method for ultra wideband signal usage with autonomous vehicles in buildings

Abstract

A product distribution system in a building includes an unmanned vehicle and a control circuit in the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle operates independently within the building. The unmanned vehicle is configured to transmit and receive first ultra wideband (UWB) signals. The control circuit is configured to determine the position of the unmanned vehicle based upon an analysis of at least some of the first UWB signals, and to navigate the unmanned vehicle according to the position. The unmanned vehicle is configured to transmit second UWB signals to a device operating within the building, and responsively receive third UWB signals from the device. Based upon the analyzing of the third UWB signals, the control circuit determines a position of the device to avoid a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product distribution system in a building, comprising:
 an unmanned vehicle operating independently within the building, the building having products disposed therein, the unmanned vehicle being configured to transmit and receive first ultra wideband (UWB) signals;   a control circuit disposed at the unmanned vehicle and that is configured to determine the position of the unmanned vehicle based upon an analysis of at least some of the first UWB signals, and to navigate the unmanned vehicle according to the position;   a radio tag being coupled to a product in the building;   wherein the unmanned vehicle is configured to transmit second UWB signals to a device operating within the building, and responsively receive third UWB signals from the device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to analyze the third UWB signals received from the device, and based upon the analyzing of the third UWB signals, determine a position of the device to avoid a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the device;   wherein the unmanned vehicle is configured to receive a response signal from the tag after the tag is activated by fourth UWB signals transmitted by the unmanned vehicle, the response signal including information associated with the product coupled to the tag;   wherein the unmanned vehicle is navigated to within a predetermined radius of a target location within the building without using UWB signaling, and then is navigated within the radius of the target location using UWB signaling according to the position of the unmanned vehicle determined by the control circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the response signal from tag is a UWB signal. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is navigated to within a predetermined radius of a target location within the building using GPS technology. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle or a ground based unmanned vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a portable electronic device, an unmanned aerial vehicle, an unmanned ground vehicle, or a stationary object. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the building is a warehouse, a retail store, or an office. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to determine the height of the unmanned vehicle by analyzing the first UWB signals. 
     
     
         8 . A method of operating vehicles in a building, the method comprising:
 transmitting and receiving first ultra wideband (UWB) signals at a first unmanned vehicle that operates independently within the building, the building having products disposed therein;   determining the position of the unmanned vehicle based upon an analysis of at least some of the first UWB signals, and navigating the unmanned vehicle according to the position;   transmitting second UWB signals to a device operating within the building, and responsively receiving third UWB signals from the device;   analyzing the third UWB signals received from the device, and based upon the analyzing of the third UWB signals, determining a position of the device to avoid a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the device;   wherein a radio tag disposed within the building, the tag being coupled to a product, and further comprising receiving a response signal from the tag after the tag is activated by fourth UWB signals transmitted by the unmanned vehicle, the response signal including information associated with the product coupled to the tag;   wherein the unmanned vehicle is navigated to within a predetermined radius of a target location within the building without using UWB signaling, and then navigated within the radius of the target location using UWB signaling according to the determined position of the unmanned vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the response signal from tag is a UWB signal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle or a ground based unmanned vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is navigated to within a predetermined radius of a target location within the building using GPS technology. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the device is a portable electronic device, an unmanned aerial vehicle, an unmanned ground vehicle, or a stationary object. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the building is a warehouse, a retail store, or an office. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining the height of the unmanned vehicle by analyzing the first UWB signals.